[4K] Walking tour in Saint Joseph's Oratory | August 2025 | Montreal, Canada 🇨🇦

Saint Joseph's Oratory is a monumental Roman Catholic basilica and national shrine in Montreal, Quebec, and is Canada's largest church. Founded in 1904 by Saint André Bessette, the oratory is a world-renowned pilgrimage site located on the slopes of Mount Royal. Key features include: Imposing Dome: The striking Italian Renaissance–style dome is the largest of its kind in Canada and the third largest in the world. It rises 97 meters high and measures 39 meters in diameter, crowning the basilica with its majestic presence. Pilgrim’s Stairs: Outside the basilica, two parallel flights of 283 steps ascend the mountain, divided by a central section of 99 wooden stairs reserved for pilgrims who wish to climb on their knees in devotion. Crypt Church: Inaugurated on December 16, 1917, the Crypt Church is the first sanctuary encountered after climbing the pilgrim’s stairs. It measures 63.4 meters in length, 36.5 meters in width, and 13.1 meters in height, with pews for 1,000 worshippers. Notable features include its intricate oak woodwork and the statue of Saint Joseph above the main altar. Basilica: Located on the upper level beneath the grand dome, the Basilica is an Italian Renaissance–style sanctuary inaugurated on March 19, 1955. It stretches 105 meters long, 37 meters wide, and 60 meters high, accommodating over 2,000 people. At the rear stands the magnificent Beckerath organ, composed of 5,811 pipes. Votive Chapel: Inside, the Votive Chapel glows with the light of thousands of votive candles and houses the tomb of Saint André Bessette, founder of the oratory. Its walls are famously adorned with crutches left behind by pilgrims who believed they were healed through prayer. Garden of the Way of the Cross: This serene mountainside garden features a path lined with 17 monumental Indiana stone sculptures depicting the final moments of Jesus—his Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. The route concludes at a basin known as the Fountain of Redemption. Panoramic Views: Perched on Mount Royal, the oratory’s terraces offer breathtaking views of Montreal. The grand steps are a favorite spot to relax and admire the skyline, especially at sunset or during special events such as the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. In 2022, a new sculpture titled Angels Unawares was added, symbolizing a teaching from the New Testament about welcoming strangers. Due to the basilica’s vast size and its multiple levels, visitors can use escalators and elevators to make their visit more comfortable and less tiring. In February 2025, a new Welcome Pavilion was inaugurated after nearly six years of construction. Its elegant glass architecture maximizes natural sunlight and creates a bright, open atmosphere. The pavilion includes a restaurant, a gift shop, and a fully restored 62-bell carillon. 🔔 Subscribe for more walking tour videos! 🗓️ Recording date : 2025/08/27 🎵 Music credits : Intro logo : "Allégro" -    • Allégro   Featured by Emmit Fenn – Sujet    /  - topic   Outro logo : "Zaduszki" -    • Zaduszki / Gregorianus   Provided by GREGORIANUS    / @gregorianus   ⏰ Timestamps 00:00 In this Walking Tour & Intro Logo 01:02 Entrance & Monument to Saint Joseph 02:52 Pilgrim's Stairs 06:20 Crypt Church 09:45 Garden of the Way of the Cross 23:11 Panoramic View of Montreal 28:35 Basilica 35:24 New Welcome Building 41:44 Votive Chapel 46:14 End ⚠️ Copyright notice : All videos published online — even though they are free to watch — are technically protected by copyright, whether they belong to Step by Step Tours, or to any other channels. Sharing a video link on social media is permitted and encouraged. However, downloading, re-uploading, redistributing, or using these videos in any other form without permission is strictly prohibited. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this copyrighted content requires explicit written permission from Step by Step Tours. Without such authorization, all forms of use are considered unauthorized and may result copyright strikes or channel terminations.